The second total lunar eclipse
visible over Melbourne in 2014 occurred during convenient mid-evening hours with
the Moon entering the umbra at 20:15h AEDT and totality between 21:55h and
22:25h AEDT; the Moon left the umbra at 23:35h AEDT. The
cloud forecast was more favourable than what actually transpired, but the significant
stages of the eclipse were successfully observed through gaps in the cloud.
Members of the Astronomical Society of Victoria, after a shortened monthly meeting,
gathered at Melbourne Observatory to witness the event.

I was assisting member's
observations through the 140-year old 8" Troughton and Simms refractor
(F13) at Melbourne Observatory which had a generous image scale, if just
slightly too large for my full-frame Canon 5D II camera. However, the Moon
fitted in the field of a 40mm eyepiece providing lovely views through the
telescope, many observers commented on the beautiful orange/red pastel shades and
gradient of light across the Moon during totality.

We packed up as the eclipse
was winding up and went home contented that we had witnessed one of Nature's
memorable events.